Preparation of Dry Ginger (Curing)

• After harvesting the rhizomes are soaked in fresh water for 12 hours and then washed.
• After cleaning the outer skin of the rhizomes is removed followed by washing.
• Then the washed rhizomes are dried in the sun for 6 – 8 days.
• These dried rhizomes are rubbed together to get the rhizomes free from dirt or last bit and called unbleached ginger.
• The rubbed rhizomes are allowed to dip in 2% lime water for 6 hours followed by drying to obtain the good appearance of ginger and is called bleached ginger.
• The yield of cured ginger is about 15 – 25% of fresh ginger.
• After drying, ginger is graded into two grades; (i). fibrous or Calicut grade, and (ii). Free from fibers or Cochin grade.
• There is a high demand of Cochin grade in the international market.